Hereditas

Call for Papers: Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture for cancer research

Hereditas is calling for submissions to our Collection on Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture for cancer research. This Collection explores the development of 3D cell culture for cancer research and cancer biology through 3D cell culture strategies. 

Call for Papers: Single-cell multi-omic analysis of cancer interactome

Hereditas is calling for submissions that develop innovative computational methods to integrate these multi-omic data, leveraging existing datasets or focusing on cell type-specific interactions, to uncover novel insights into cancer.

Call for Papers: Deep learning the genome

Hereditas is calling for submissions to our Collection on "Deep learning the genome".

Friday 25th April marks National DNA Day 2025! Here’s what our Section Editors have to say about this event:

"DNA Day celebrates two monumental milestones: the discovery of the DNA double helix and the completion of the Human Genome Project. These achievements have revolutionised our understanding of life and disease. For researchers, DNA Day serves as a powerful reminder of the strides made in deciphering how genetic mutations lead to diseases such as cancer, and it inspires continued efforts to translate these insights into effective therapies." Editor-in-Chief, Ramin Massoumi, Lund University, Sweden

"DNA is the blueprint of life, and guides us in understanding health and disease." Fumihiko Takeuchi, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Australia 

“The discovery of the structure of DNA forever changed the way we view living organisms, sparking intense efforts to verify the mechanisms envisioned by the realization of the helical arrangement of the base pairs. We have come a long way. The next major milestone, the human genome sequence, was also completed in April 22 years ago. Thanks to the technological advancements of the twenty-first century, we have learned that DNA is far more exciting than it is portrayed in the media: it is a dynamic entity that interacts with hundreds of proteins that re-arrange its position, supercoiling it for cell division or folding it with great precision to regulate gene expression. DNA even interacts with the extra-cellular environment, responding to signalling pathways or being secreted in exosomes.” Eduardo López Urrutia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico

“DNA Day is a powerful reminder of how far we have come in unravelling the genetic foundations of health and disease. In the field of cancer genetics, understanding DNA-based mechanisms is crucial to identifying hereditary risk factors, mapping tumour evolution, and developing targeted therapies. By deciphering the mutations and molecular signals that drive cancer, we can design precision treatments that target these vulnerabilities, transforming patient care and offering hope of improved outcomes and increased survivorship. However, our journey is far from complete. Ongoing advances in genome editing, big data analytics, and personalized medicine continue to reveal new genetic signatures and complex regulatory networks that shape cancer risk and progression. This knowledge empowers us to predict, prevent, and treat cancer with increasing effectiveness, exemplifying the profound impact DNA research can have on global health. As we observe DNA Day, let us celebrate these remarkable achievements and look forward to the discoveries still on the horizon.” Julhash U. Kazi, Lund University, Sweden 

Featured Article: Integrated multi-omics analysis and machine learning refine molecular subtypes and clinical outcome for hepatocellular carcinoma

Primary liver cancer is one of the six most prevalent solid tumors worldwide and the third dominating cause of tumor-related mortality, exhibiting high morbidity and mortality rates [1]. It primarily comprises three pathological forms: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and combined hepatocellular carcinoma-cholangiocarcinoma, of which approximately 80% are hepatocellular carcinomas [2, 3]. Roughly 70% of HCC patients are identified at intermediate to advanced stages, precluding the optimal opportunity for surgical resection [4]. In recent years, with the significant advancement of immunotherapy in the treatment of malignant tumors, immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), primarily including PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and CTLA-4 inhibitors, has demonstrated efficacy in the intervention of advanced HCC patients [5,6,7], but not all patients achieve favorable therapeutic outcomes. In addition, despite these substantial advancements, the molecular mechanisms through which immunotherapy modulates the immune microenvironment and regulates immune responses and evasion in HCC patients remain incompletely elucidated [5]. Therefore, a critical challenge lies in identifying HCC patients who may derive benefit from checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Authors: Chunhong Li, Jiahua Hu, Mengqin Li, Yiming Mao & Yuhua Mao

Published: 12 April 2025